What Movie Did You Watch This Weekend?

[Ennis Del Mark]

And long!

Wow, I haven't seen this one in 20 years.  My mom and I saw it in the theater.  We both liked it.

[gattaca]

Have just seen the TV advert for new "Batman" movie. My stomach just tied in knots and I had a sharp intake of breath, I just wouldn't be able to watch this film.

I have a friend who had a lot of trouble with parts of the TDK, especially the scene where Batman dives off the top of the building...  in IMAX it was like OM**@(* .   I've not even asked yet if she wants me to get her tickets to the IMAX of TDKR. 

This film will not be for everyone - especially on the big screen or if they have reservations about the intense action sequences.  I know it's already sold out all weekend at our local IMAX, all shows, all times.  The 7/20 midnight showing sold out in 40 minutes.

I'll let you know!   Cheers, Vincent

[Lyle (Mooska)]

I'm afraid that the more these franchises have sequels the less I like them.

Batman Begins was a fine film and I liked it.  The second one ups the ante and despite some wonderful action sequences and Heath's delicious performance, I felt the ante upping started to crack the enjoyment level.  These are based on Comic Book Heroes--so where is the "comic" part?  It's all doom and gloom. Now I find out this third one is two hours and 45 minutes long!  Egads!  I am going to see it because I've been invited to a screening of it in a couple weeks. But you know what, I am not really looking forward to being pummeled for nearly three hours.

I think what I've thought this third time around would be is what this Chicago film critic thought of it:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/-dark-knight-rises-review/

At least I won't have to wear those 3-D glasses.

[oilgun]

I'm afraid that the more these franchises have sequels the less I like them.

Batman Begins was a fine film and I liked it.  The second one ups the ante and despite some wonderful action sequences and Heath's delicious performance, I felt the ante upping started to crack the enjoyment level.  These are based on Comic Book Heroes--so where is the "comic" part?  It's all doom and gloom. Now I find out this third one is two hours and 45 minutes long!  Egads!  I am going to see it because I've been invited to a screening of it in a couple weeks. But you know what, I am not really looking forward to being pummeled for nearly three hours.

I think what I've thought this third time around would be is what this Chicago film critic thought of it:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/-dark-knight-rises-review/

At least I won't have to wear those 3-D glasses.

All the reviews I've read have been pretty much glowing, so I can't wait.  Especially since the JGL character is supposedly the most developed:

From Twitch Film:


[...]With all that in mind, I have no reservations with proclaiming The Dark Knight Rises a rip-roaring spectacle that manages not only to entrance and entertain as a stand-alone summer blockbuster, but also to connect firmly to its predecessors, carry its narrative forward with confidence and conviction, towards a bold, triumphant and incredibly ballsy conclusion that I defy any fan of the Caped Crusader to be anything but wholly satisfied with. Within the realms of earthbound reality, and considering the impossible weight of expectation levied upon everybody involved from Nolan on down, The Dark Knight Rises delivers the best possible ending any of us could have realistically expected.
[...]
http://twitchfilm.com/reviews/2012/07/review-the-dark-knight-rises.php


From The Globe & Mail who gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars.

With The Dark Knight Rises, Nolan had ambitious aims for the franchise he revived.
It’s not only packed with high-toned classical and contemporary cultural allusions, but manages to wear its popcorn inspirations on its sleeve. On the latter front, there are touches of Rocky, as well as Die Hard, but never far are echoes of 9/11 and the U.S. financial collapse of recent years. (The villain is named Bane, which intended or not, brings to mind this year’s Republican candidate for president and his infamous corporate alma mater.)
Stylistically, Nolan’s tone is both epic and human – this is a film ultimately about fear and how it is overcome. The message – “rising from the darkness” – is adroitly and powerfully addressed: Bruce Wayne must rebound from personal loss; Gotham must emerge from a terrorist attack.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/film-reviews/the-dark-knight-rises-ambitious-epic-and-human/article4424226/

So this weekend I'll either see that or the latest Mia Hanson-Love film, Goodbye First Love 
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/goodbye_first_love/

[killersmom]

I have a friend who had a lot of trouble with parts of the TDK, especially the scene where Batman dives off the top of the building...  in IMAX it was like OM**@(* .   I've not even asked yet if she wants me to get her tickets to the IMAX of TDKR. 

I had the same problem when I saw this at the IMAX theater. I had to close my eyes!!

[ingmarnicebbmt]

I saw "For the Boys" tonight with Bette Midler and James Caan.
I had forgotten what a good movie it is.
Funny and sad.

One of the best movies ever (to me).

[Lyle (Mooska)]

All the reviews I've read have been pretty much glowing, so I can't wait.
Especially since the JGL character is supposedly the most developed:

From Twitch Film:


[...]With all that in mind, I have no reservations with proclaiming The Dark Knight Rises a rip-roaring spectacle that manages not only to entrance and entertain as a stand-alone summer blockbuster, but also to connect firmly to its predecessors, carry its narrative forward with confidence and conviction, towards a bold, triumphant and incredibly ballsy conclusion that I defy any fan of the Caped Crusader to be anything but wholly satisfied with. Within the realms of earthbound reality, and considering the impossible weight of expectation levied upon everybody involved from Nolan on down, The Dark Knight Rises delivers the best possible ending any of us could have realistically expected.
[...]
http://twitchfilm.com/reviews/2012/07/review-the-dark-knight-rises.php

In the "see what you want to see department," the paragraph preceding the one you quoted:

The Dark Knight Rises is not a perfect film. Let's get that out of the way right at the beginning. It might not even be the best of Christopher Nolan's now complete Batman trilogy. It is poorly paced, slowing to an almost ponderous crawl during its rambling middle section, and battles frequently to convey any discernible structure. Despite its best efforts to keep things grounded firmly in the real world, it lets itself drift into a realm of campiness that the series has for the most part successfully steered clear of until now. It also suffers from the all too common superhero threequel fate of packing too many characters into its narrative, and as a result, leaves more than one key player floundering by the wayside, or at the very least, lacking much substance.

This is why I don't trust these compilation sites that score films.  A paragraph like the above
in a review and it's considered a good review?  It amounts to, "it might be bad but I love it."

[gattaca]

I saw TDKR yesterday afternoon at a sold out IMAX showing, complete with police officers and the local news present at the facility.  

First, my condolences and thoughts are for those those who's lives were tragically ended and those who will forever carry the scars from the horrendous acts of this person in CO.   I'm sure this event was on everyone's mind sitting there in the dark.

Overall, TDKR is an awesome conclusion to Nolan's epic.  Some of the reviews do not do it justice.  The film grabs you by the *@*@* from the first frames and does not let go until the conclusion!  I was literally squirming a couple of times!  

I also agree, people see what they want to see, enjoy what they want to enjoy and do what they want to do, for the most part..  and this film is not going to float all boats!   It will for Nolan and Batman fans be a ride they are not soon to forget and for those wanting a great summer film - it fits the bill too.  It will be hard to beat this one!    I will see the film a 2nd time after the crowds are satisfied and while I liked this film a LOT, TDK with Heath Ledger's Joker will remain my favorite.  I thoroughly enjoyed Anne Hathaway's portrayal of the female cat burglar - but I'm a bit biased there.    TDKR did not rely as much on gadgetry as priors.  Of course Batman had a new few toys and the bike is back but Nolan really did work hard on the characters.  In the final credits he also proudly states that the TDKR is shot entirely on FILM!

Is the film perfect?  No not by any means.   There are a few scenes where I sort of had to suspend my logic to accept what I was shown... such as:
SPOILER ON:how does Bane escape Gotham, fly himself and an injured Batman to a remote underground and inescapable prison in some other country and then return while a Gotham is locked down with the Feds watching everything?  
SPOILER OFF.
There are a few of those and quite a few surprises which are foreshadowed briefly before the cat's out of the bag.   Pay attention to how people are dressed and you may pick up on a few.

I also agree, this is the best ending that fans could have hoped for that's not so contrived and totally unbelievable.  Throughout the film, Alfred gives us all great advice to live by....anything more and I need more spoiler alerts.

BTW, in spite of the film being nearly 3 hours, during our showing absolutely NO one left the theater for the restroom and that in itself was amazing.   You feel if you do leave, you are going to miss some crucial bit or scene.

Later, Vincent

[oilgun]

 I saw TDKR today on a regular screen and really enjoyed it and I echo you sentiments completely, Gattaca. It is a perfect ending to the trilogy and Anne Hathaway was purrfect (sorry).  I was riveted to my seat the whole time.  What a dark and fascinating film.

[doodler]

Our local tv did a live broadcast from our one and only "megaplex" (6-7 screens) and the lobby was pretty much as bare as usualy. Just a few couples and some teenagers and none of them was interviewed so they could have been there for any of the movies. No costumes. No cops.

[oilgun]

In the "see what you want to see department," the paragraph preceding the one you quoted:

The Dark Knight Rises is not a perfect film. Let's get that out of the way right at the beginning. It might not even be the best of Christopher Nolan's now complete Batman trilogy. It is poorly paced, slowing to an almost ponderous crawl during its rambling middle section, and battles frequently to convey any discernible structure. Despite its best efforts to keep things grounded firmly in the real world, it lets itself drift into a realm of campiness that the series has for the most part successfully steered clear of until now. It also suffers from the all too common superhero threequel fate of packing too many characters into its narrative, and as a result, leaves more than one key player floundering by the wayside, or at the very least, lacking much substance.

This is why I don't trust these compilation sites that score films.  A paragraph like the above
in a review and it's considered a good review?  It amounts to, "it might be bad but I love it."

I didn't quote the first paragraph because he redeems the film with the first sentence of the second paragraph. "With all that in mind, I have no reservations with proclaiming The Dark Knight Rises a rip-roaring spectacle..."  And it is.  For fans of the first two, TDKR will not disappoint. It's dark, layered, complex and very affecting. It's not perfect but it is a totally satisfying conclusion and that my friend is something the celebrate.

[doodler]

They have taken Dark Knight Rises off the leader board at my local theatre. I didn't call, but I think it is still playing.

[bubba]

Everyone I know seems to be seeing it.  It is getting good reviews and doing huge numbers at the box office.   I honestly thought Heath's death had killed the franchise.  I guess not...

[doodler]

I don't know anyone who has seen it, even on line.

[bubba]

People in this thread have seen it! 

300 million at the box office...... I wouldn't mind going - I am just not getting to the theatre much these days!